By Ioana Creitaru, Programme Specialist, Vanessa Schulz, Programme Analyst and Gloria Ferrara, Intern, UNDP Crisis Bureau

As we commemorate the 2024 International Day of Persons with Disabilities, it becomes evident that advancing disability inclusion in post-crisis recovery is not just a moral imperative but a strategic priority for building resilient and equitable communities and societies that leave no one behind.

Crises are inclusive but our responses are not

Today, more crises are impacting more people worldwide. Situations of violent conflict and protracted crises extend over years and decades. Mega-disasters, often linked to climate change, are unprecedented in scale and magnitude. 

“Disasters and crises are inclusive: they impact everyone, directly or indirectly. But our responses are not,” said Abia Akram, an award-winning disability rights activist and founder of the National Forum of Women with Disabilities in Pakistan. Speaking at the global event “Advancing Disability Inclusion in Post-Crisis Recovery” convened by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and partners at the Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Weeks in Geneva in May 2024, Abia highlighted Pakistan’s experience in fostering collaboration among humanitarian response workers, national disaster management authorities, development agencies, local governments, and communities to meet basic accessibility requirements for all in crisis response, recovery, and reconstruction. 

Persons with disabilities make up 16 per cent of the world’s population, approximately 1.3 billion people. 80 per cent of persons with disabilities live in the Global South and are often some of the poorest in their communities, increasing their vulnerability and exposure to hazards.
Given the rise in frequency, magnitude, and impact of crises affecting people’s lives, livelihoods, assets, social cohesion, the environment, and the economy, inclusive post-crisis recovery emerges as an imperative for our societies. 

Post-crisis recovery in complex emergencies: An opportunity to advance inclusion

After a crisis, nations and societies move into recovery, restoring livelihoods, infrastructure, and basic services, repairing the economic and social fabric, and reconstituting effective and inclusive institutions. Recovery is a transformative process through which households, communities, and countries return to the path of self-sufficiency, enhancing the agency and well-being of all people.

The International Disability Alliance, an umbrella organization regrouping organizations of persons with disabilities (OPD) from across the world, advocates for involving all community members, including persons with disabilities and OPDs, in the recovery process, from design to implementation of interventions.

An example of what this means in practice can be seen in Ukraine, where non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as The League of the Strong and Fight for Right  leverage the recovery process to challenge systemic barriers faced by persons with disabilities, advocate for reforms with national and local authorities, and promote holistic approaches to accessibility, including digital access and participatory decision-making.

Similarly, in Syria, the NGO Isharti (translated as “My Sign”) led by Huda Mohammad, a disability advocate and a woman with disability herself, advocates for more inclusive outcomes in all stages of recovery, from planning to decision-making, and fosters the meaningful participation of persons with hearing impairments, particularly women who face higher levels of exclusion and stigma. 

Tackling the existential threat of climate change 

Climate change increases the frequency and severity of hydro-meteorological hazards and sea level rise, exacerbating the vulnerabilities of persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities may struggle to escape from danger, lose essential medications or assistive devices, may be left behind during evacuations, or face greater challenges in accessing basic services such as food, water, shelter, and health services. Thus, recovery offers an opportunity to build forward better, reducing the risks for persons with disabilities in the face of climate change.

When Tropical Cyclone Harold hit several Pacific Islands in 2020, it brought destructive high winds and extreme rainfall, amplified by rising sea levels and warming ocean temperatures. In Vanuatu, the participatory design and deployment of inclusive early warning enabled early action and response, saving lives during the cyclone. During the event at HNPW, His Excellency, Mr. Sumbue Antas, Ambassador of Vanuatu to the United Nations in Geneva, highlighted the importance of involving persons with disabilities and OPDs beyond preparedness efforts. Local OPDs assessed the needs of persons with disabilities in the affected areas as part of the response and provided guidance during the post-cyclone recovery phase.  To address the challenges faced by women with disabilities, the Government of Vanuatu launched the Women’s Resilience to Disasters Programme in 2022, enhancing women’s resilience and leadership in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, closely collaborating with OPDs, civil society, and the private sector. 

Paving the way for an inclusive future 

Complementing societal awareness and inclusive policy choices, innovation and technology can play a pivotal role in advancing disability inclusion in the recovery process. 

In Ukraine, with support from the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, the World Health Organization (WHO) provided assistive technology kits to internally displaced persons affected by the conflict. These kits included essential mobility aids such as wheelchairs, crutches, and walking frames, enabling individuals with mobility impairments to navigate displacement camps and temporary shelters more effectively while promoting their independence and participation in daily activities.

The equal participation of persons with disabilities in co-creating solutions and innovations is indispensable to grounding the principle of inclusion in practice. Forging meaningful partnerships with OPDs can improve inclusive decision-making and planning processes that benefit everyone.

If you would like to know more about practical experiences in inclusive post-crisis recovery such as those exemplified in this blog, please watch the recording of the event: Advancing Disability Inclusion in Post-Crisis Recovery (May 2024, Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Weeks).